The minister of industry, trade and investment, Jumoke Oduwole, says Nigeria stands ready to serve as a regional marketplace and an accessible gateway to West Africa and the continent as a whole.

Mrs Oduwole made the assertion at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Nigeria International Trade Fair on Friday in Lagos.

The theme of the trade fair is “Trade, Technology and Transformation: Digital Trade Fair for Economic and Industrial Growth”.

It holds from November 21 to November 30 at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.

She said Nigerian trade with other African nations grew by 14  per cent in the first half of the year, noting that this growth is a clear indication of the immense opportunity within the continent.

Mrs Oduwole said the federal government would continue to deepen regional engagement, strengthen collaboration, and showcase the very best of African enterprise.

“This year, during our visit to several African and global trade fairs, we observed strong and growing interest in partnering with Nigerian products and enterprises,” she said.

According to her, the Nigeria International Trade Fair has continuously reshaped the future of trade and business in Nigeria.

“This trade fair is more than an exhibition. It is a testament to the resilience of our economy and a reminder that even in challenging times, our commitment to growth, collaboration, and partnership remains unwavering.

“With strong participation, vibrant African showcases and international trade missions, represented here today, I would like to congratulate the leadership once again, and indeed, the Federal Government agencies operating under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

“We are all here today aligned with the eight-point agenda of this administration, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating an enabling environment where businesses can thrive and economic development can flourish for all,” she said.

The minister acknowledged the contributions of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the economy, noting that they remain the central focus of the fair.

She encouraged MSMEs to take full advantage of the platform to explore the diverse range of products, innovations, and services on display.

Earlier, Vera Ndanusa, executive director of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board, said the aim of the fair was to enhance Nigeria’s commercial landscape by showcasing technological advancements in digital trade and industry.

Mrs Ndanusa, also the chief executive Officer of the board, said that efforts were ongoing to make participation more affordable for SMEs, women-led enterprises and young entrepreneurs.

“Our goal as the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board is straightforward yet profound: to create and sustain an environment where trade thrives, where businesses can scale, and where Investment can flow easily.

“We are not simply managers of physical space, we are custodians of a national gateway to economic opportunity,” Mrs Ndanusa said.

In his remarks, the chairman, House committee on commerce, Munir Ahmed, said that the House of Representatives recognised the private sector, particularly the MSMEs as the engine of the economy.

According to Ms Ahmed, the National Assembly has been working assiduously to pass and amend vital legislation that brings about the ease of doing business and creates the competitive environment they need.

“We are streamlining regulatory bottlenecks and reinforcing essential infrastructure to make business operations simpler and more predictable.

“The Nigeria First policy, through robust legislative support, we are ensuring that the government ministries and agencies prioritise locally manufactured goods in all public procurement processes.

“This is our clear statement. We must buy Nigeria to build Nigeria.

“In terms of quality and standards, the Bill for establishing a weights and measures sector is advanced. Quality is not optional. It is the key to consumer trust and international competitiveness,” he said.

Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe of the Nupe Kingdom, and former Gov. Muazu Aliyu of Niger, among others, attended the ceremony.

 (NAN)